The Dutchman wants to bring Feyenoord pair Jordy Clasie and towering centre half Bruno Martins Indi with him, when he arrives at Old Trafford after the tournament in Brazil.

Yet the wily manager knows he can’t upset one of his country’s biggest and most powerful clubs on the eve of the finals, and instead has passed on dossiers to the United hierarchy.

They will keep a watching brief on the pair during the World Cup and make discreet contact with Feyenoord, with a view to thrashing out a deal when the tournament ends.

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At just 22, Clasie is regarded as the rising star of Dutch football and plays in the midfield position United are desperate to fill this summer. He has forced his way into the Holland team in recent months, and looks a banker to play in the finals.

(Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)

Robin Van Persie - who will have a big say in what goes on at Old Trafford this summer - has even likened the youngster to Paul Scholes, and van Gaal has made his admiration clear by promoting him to a front line position in the team.

He will also make Martins Indi a pivotal figure in the team that will kick off the tournament against Spain on June 13, and again at the age of 22, he is seen as the future of the national team defence.

Both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will leave the club this summer, and one of van Gaal’s first jobs will be to sign a new centre half, and given his faith in the young Feyenoord defender United will attempt to thrash out a deal with Feyenoord.